08/21/2026
RW'S 8 Ways To Uphold Democracy This Election:
((1)) Become a poll worker.
Poll Workers are the backbone of our election system. They play a vital role in the democratic process. Poll workers consist of Judges of Election, Majority and Minority Inspectors, Machine Inspectors and Clerks. Work side by side with your neighbor and meet new people. Contribute to your community by helping run an election and help safeguard our election process.
(Can also earn $175 or more)
Fill out an application here to be a county poll worker:
https://www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/1241/Poll-Workers
((2)) Become a poll monitor or poll watcher.
If you agree that every eligible voter deserves to have their voice count, you can take action from home or in person by serving as a nonpartisan Election Protection volunteer.
https://protectthevote.net/
There are also partisan campaign or party poll watchers, some of whom are trained and certified to enter polling facilities.
((3)) Support and share help getting to the polls.
One nonprofit organization called Vote Run is connecting voters with free, reliable, accessible rides to and from the polls:
https://voterun.org/
There is also:
● https://rideshare2vote.com/pennsylvania/
● https://carpoolvote.com/
((4)) Support and share voter access help.
VoteRiders is the country’s leading nonpartisan organization focused on the critical issue of voter ID.
They inform communities about ID laws, equip partner organizations to expand voting access, advocate for pro-voter policies, and provide free one-on-one help to individuals to secure an accepted form of ID to vote:
https://voteriders.org/
((5)) Support and write postcard campaigns to voters.
Some of your neighbors are already writing and sending postcards to voters across the county encouraging participation. One such group hosted by Nancy and Claudia with some of the Democratic Women of Westmoreland has been meeting at DV8. You can also reach out to Rally Westmoreland and we will connect you with one of our members writing postcards for their municipality whom you can directly support.
Other efforts are:
● Blue Wave Postcards:
https://shop.bluewavepostcards.org/
● Postcards to Swing States:
https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/
((6)) Engage with your neighbors, friends, and family.
Put up signs in your yard and make conversations everywhere you can.
((7)) Support and volunteer for local campaigns.
Some great candidates right in our area are constantly out working to show their worth and character to the county. You can meet them and learn what type of people they are, you can help canvassing or lots of other ways. Or just show up to support their events.
((8)) Know and share voter rights.
If poll workers question your eligibility and say you can't vote, tell them you want your provisional ballot and receipt as required by law.
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 guarantees every eligible voter the right to cast a provisional ballot when their voter registration or eligibility is questioned. Under federal law, poll workers are legally required to offer you a provisional ballot. This means they cannot turn you away without giving you the opportunity to vote.
● Poll workers must offer you a provisional ballot if there’s any question about your eligibility.
● You cannot be turned away without the opportunity to vote.
● Your vote will count if election officials verify you are eligible.
● You have the right to a receipt to track your ballot.
This right applies in any federal election, regardless of the reason why your voter eligibility is in question. *It is important that you do not leave the polling place without voting.*
You have the right to cast a provisional ballot if you can’t vote in the traditional manner. If poll workers tell you that you cannot have a provisional ballot:
● Ask to speak to a supervisor or election judge at the polling place.
● Insist on your right: Tell them federal law requires them to offer you a provisional ballot.
● Call for help: Contact the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).
● Document everything: Get names of poll workers, note the time, and write down exactly what they told you.
● Don’t leave: Stay calm but be firm, as Federal law guarantees your right to a provisional ballot.
If you are still denied, consider speaking with an election law attorney.
